An outstanding collection of detailed, state-of-the-art techniques for studying many aspects of nervous system cell biology. The methods span a multidisciplinary range of cellular and molecular approaches to both normal and injured nervous system function, and particularly to neurodegenerative processes. Included are basic RT-PCR techniques, cell culture systems, second-messenger signaling methods, and patch-clamp techniques. These powerful techniques will illuminate nervous system function, injury, degeneration, and the repair/regenerative process.

Introduction to Polymerase Chain Reaction-PCR, Mark C. Miller and Laura Cunningham. Methodological Issues in Polymerase Chain Reaction for RNA, Gregory S. Kelner and Richard A. Maki. Subtractive Hybridization of cDNA Libraries, Gregory S. Kelner and Richard A. Maki. The Use of Differential Display RT-PCR for Identifying Altered Gene Expression in Ischemic Brain Injury, Zinkang Wang and Giora Z. Feurestein. Analysis of Gene Expression By Multiprobe RNase Protection Assay, Anna K. Stalder, Axel Pagenstecher, Carrie L. Kincaid, and Ian L. Campbell. Molecular Probes for PNS, Degeneration, and Regeneration,Arrel D. Toews. Mobility Shift DNA-Binding Assay Using Gel Electrophoresis,Keith Pennypacker and Yang Xiao. Transfection of Mammalian Cells inVitro: Use in Analysis of Neuronal Damage, Melvin L. Billingsley and Theresa A. Thompson. Detection of Apoptotic Cells in the Nervous System, Terri Kagan and Zahra Zakeri. Translocation Assays of Protein Kinase C Activation, David M. Terrian, Ginger G. Wescott, and Christina M. Manring. Astrocyte and Neuron Coculturing Method, Michael Aschner and Barbara A. Bennett. Viability Assays for Cells in Vitro: The Ethidium/Calcein Assay and the Immunofluorescense Combination Assay, Theresa A. Thompson. Measurement of Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity Using the Citrulline Assay, Thomas R. Ward and William R. Mundy. Measurement of Calcium Buffering by Intracellular Organelles in Brain, Prasada Rao S. Kodavanti. Measurement of Intraneuronal Free Calcium Using Fluorescent Probe Technique, Prasada Rao S. Kodavanti. Receptor-Mediated Release of Inositolphosphates in Brain Slices, Pushpa Tandon. The Use of Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays to Quantitate Proteins, Dori Germolec. Assays for the Analysis of Synaptic Proteins in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Eliezer Masliah and Michael Alford. Zymographic Method for the Measurement of Gelatinase Activity in Brain Tissue, Paul E. Gottschall, J. Wenjun Zhang, and Suman Deb. The Measurement of MonoamineNeurotransmitters in Microdialysis Perfusates Using HPLC-ECD, Ian Acworth and Michael L. Cunningham. Biochemical Measurement of Cholinesterase Activity, Stephanie Padilla, T. Leon Lassiter, and Deborah Hunter. Functional Study of Glutamate Receptor Channels in Brain Slices, Susan Jones and Jerrel L. Yakel. Selective Silver Staining for Neural Degeneration, Karl F. Jensen and Jeanene K. Olin. Immunohistological Markers of Cerebrovascular Integrity,Karl F. Jensen, Jeanene K. Olin, Julie A. Varner, and Robert L. Isaacson. Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis: A Quantitative Electron Microscopy Technique for Measurement of Elements and Water in Nervous Tissue Cells, Richard M. LoPachin and Christopher L. Gaughan.